Maryland realtor Narain Kumar Mathur has declared his candidacy for the Charles County Board of Education. If elected, he pledged to provide 'our kids a safe, comfortable educational environment and enhance educational standards by reducing class sizes.'
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Mathur, who is among 17 candidates running for the open seven seats, said, if elected, he would also ensure the county's children would be ensured 'low priced and healthy meals and our best teachers will be provided incentives and bonuses and also affordable housing.'
He added, "I have seen so many neighborhoods where kids don't have a county school and they have to walk to schools in a different neighborhood in all kinds of weather accompanied by their parents. If elected, I will provide a school bus in every single neighborhood."
He also promised to ensure secure areas for children to play and enjoy with very little supervision.
But, Mathur said, one of the most pressing needs that need to be addressed, which he would strongly push for if elected, would be to reduce classroom sizes.
"We have more than 30 children in our average class rooms, and I would definitely reduce it to at least 26 children per class so that our teachers can more attention to our kids and they can learn in an appropriate environment and get better grades," he said.
About teacher incentives and bonuses, he said he was a firm believer in payment on the basis of merit.
"Based on their annual performance and if their class gets better grades, the teachers should be appreciated and receive monetary incentives and monthly housing allowances so they can afford to live in Charles County, (instead of) leaving (for) better incentives somewhere else," he said.
Rajasthan-born and raised Mathur migrated to the United States in 1985, earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting, and worked as an accountant in the federal government, at a hospital, and in an information technology company. He also owned and operated a restaurant and managed fast food restaurants and video stores before becoming a real estate agent with Century 21 Associates.
Among his siblings -- two sisters and an older brother -- his brother Dr Krishan Mathur is a respected cancer specialist in Charles County, where he has practiced for more than 30 years.
Mathur's father Har Gopal Mathur was a public prosecutor in Rajasthan and also a Congress party politician who worked closely with the late Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Mathur acknowledged that it was a tough election year and voters will be stretched to contribute financially because of a full slate of candidates. But he implored them, particularly the affluent Indian-American community in Maryland, to contribute to his campaign.
"Those gifts will make it possible for me to pay for year signs, advertising and campaign materials needed for me to prevail in the September 14 primary," he said.
"I can understand that they are being asked to support many candidates and in these tough economic times we are in, in may make it difficult for all of us to make a financial contribution," he acknowledged.
But, Mathur said, "there are so many (other) ways they can help me. For example, [they could put] a yard sign in their yard, [help] register voters and help me in the polling places, joining my campaign for social events and making phone calls on my behalf."
Mathur and his wife Sadhna have a daughter Priya, 17, a high school senior.
Image: Narain Kumar Mathur
